Principal Mission Operations Training Engineer

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

We are looking for a Mission Operations Training Engineer to build, own, and execute our end-to-end mission operations training program. In this role, you will be the technical authority for operations training across the program, embedding with our software, engineering, flight operations, and recovery teams to ensure both our personnel and the astronaut crews are fully prepared.

As a Simulation Supervisor, you will work directly with the Ground Software and Flight Software teams to ensure fault-injection logic and training capabilities are built into the simulator architecture.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the training concept of operations, certification pipelines, and long-term training plans for flight controllers and ISS crews

• Author and maintain the core curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional materials that translate vehicle engineering into operational proficiency

• Script, orchestrate, and execute high-fidelity nominal and off-nominal simulation campaigns as Simulation Supervisor

• Partner with Ground Software and Flight Software teams to ensure fault-injection capabilities and training requirements are built into the simulator architecture

• Coordinate with subsystem engineers, Mission Directors, and external partners (ESA, NASA, CNES) to keep training aligned with current procedures

• Incorporate flight anomalies, test failures, and operational lessons learned into simulator capabilities, training flows, and vehicle design

• Mentor and grow junior training engineers and simulation controllers

What we would love to see from you:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Master’s degree in an engineering or science discipline.

• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft mission operations training or a comparable high-risk operations environment

• Hands-on experience scripting and running simulation campaigns as a Simulation Supervisor, console operator, or equivalent role

• Experience working directly with software development teams to define, review, and accept simulator capabilities or modeling environments

• Technical knowledge of common spacecraft systems (GNC, avionics, propulsion, life support)

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex systems engineering into operational training curricula and procedures

Bonus qualifications:

• Experience developing training for ISS crewmembers or human spaceflight missions

• Background in custom simulation tooling, fault-injection scripting, or telemetry display environments

• Prior certification as a flight controller.

• Direct experience with NASA, ESA, or equivalent partners on joint training plans and operational products

• Mentorship experience with junior engineers while remaining a significant individual contributor

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.